Erector for tunnel linings



' June 24, 1930.

W. B. UPDEGRAFF ERECTOR FOR TUNNEL LININGS Filed April 25, 192sv 3 Sheets-Sheet l N NN Q ww

IN VENTOR www AT'TQRNEYS 3 Sheets-5h66?. 2

w. B. UPDEGRAFF' ERECTOR FOR TUNNEL LININGS Filed April 26, 192e June 24, 1930.

ERECTOR FOR TUNNEL LIN-INGS Filed April 25, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS Patented June 24, 1930 UNrrED STATES PATENT oFFlcE WILLIAM BARRETT UPDEGRAFF, 0F ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE WATSON-STILLMAN CO., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY ERECTOR FOR TUNNEL LIN INGS Application filed April 25,

In tunneling opera-tions such as the excavating of a vehicular or railroad tunnel, an annular shield is advanced through the earth to define the tunnel opening and to provide a safe working space for the workmen who remove the earth and rock from the front end of the shield to the rear thereof. The lining for the tunnel is constructed in the rear of the advancing shield and is formed of rings placed edge to edge and bolted together. Each ring is formed of a largenumber of metal segments which are placed end to end and bolted together. The erection of each ring takes place within the tunnel at the rear of the shield and to lift the heavy segments into their places to form the rings a pivoted erector is supported at the rear of the shield by a structure carried by the shield so that it advances with the latter. The erector is usually mounted on a horizontal pivot located centally with respect to the shield, and fiuidpressure-operated mechanism is provided for rotating the erector to place the vlining segments into position to form the permanent lining structure. The erector carries uid-pressure-opcreated mechanism to raf dially move the segments and place them in their final positions in the ring.

Heretofore tunnel lining erectors have been provided with fluid-conducting means which are not removably mounted and wherein re-paclring must be done with the mechanism in place by a very laborious operation. The packings are usually l0- cated'in a very restricted confined space within the shield and are very difficult of access and are so mounted as to render them diflicult to remove and replace when reached. Consequently much time and hard work is required for the repaclring operation. The repacking operation must be performed within the shield usually under air pressure and there is always the danger of introducing dirt into the packing and int-o the swivel mounting of the erector. During the operation of repacking, the tunneling operations are halted and a large number `of workmen are rendered idle. Obviously this greatly delays the construction work and 1928. Serial No. 272,757.

tween the source of Huid pressure and the luid-pressure-operated mechanism on the rotatable erector, and to so arrange said swivel fluid-pressure connection that it may be removed for repair without dismantling the erector or its mounting.

A further object of the invention is to arrange the fluidpressure-conducting means axially of the swivel of the erector and to provide means whereby said conductor may be bodily removed axially at the rear of the shield and into the free open space at the rear of the shield for repair or repacking without disturbing the erector.

It is customary also to employ a wooden breasting to prevent a collapse of earth into the shield as the latter is advanced. This breasting is in the form of a disk which is constructed at the leading or cutting edge of the shield and bears against the earth in front of the shield. Supported by a structure within the shield are a plurality of hydraulic jacks which support platforms for the workmen. When a breasting is used, these jacks also serve to hold it firmly against the earth as the shield is advanced.

VIt is most desirable that there should be a strong pick pressure upon the centre of the breasting as this is the point of greatest strain. Owing, however, to the design of the swivel erector mounting used heretofore it has been impossible to locate a jack at this point. -The present invention has for a fur-:T

ther object the provision of a swivel mounting and fluid-conducting means designed to permit a jack to be advantageously located at the center of the shield so that it may bear directly upon the center of the breasting.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The invention contemplates means for providing fluid pressure connections between a fixed source of iuid pressure and fluidpressure-operated mechanism mounted on and moving with a rotatable structure, and wherein the connection between the source of pressure and the rotating struct-ure must be rotatable and the fluid pressure connections leading to the fluid-prcssure-operated mechanism must be rigid or stationary with respect to the rotary structure. In apparatus of this character the fluid passages must run along the axial center of the rotatable structure, or as nearly as may be, and this requires7 in effect, a fluid-pressure swivel connect-ion.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a tunneling apparatus in operative position within a tunnel and equipped with my imp'oved erector mounting, the central jack aring against the center of the breasting and a lining ring being in course of assembly by the erector;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view through the front end oi the tunneling shield showing its advancement while the breastin(Jr is held stationary;

ig. 3 a rear view of the tunneling shield upon a smaller scale than Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 a longitudinal section, upon a larger scale than Figs. 1 and 2, taken through the crcctor and its mounting;

Fig. 5 a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, showing the mechanism for rotating the e'rector;

Fig 6 a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the member containing the luid conduits for the erector arm connections withdrawn from the erector mounting;

Fig. 7 an enlarged sectional detail view of a portion of the erector mountin Y and including the inner or forward en of the conduit member, the packing thereon and the luid connections;

Fig. 8 a section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 an enlarged detail section through the outer or rear end of the conduit member and its connections; and

Fig. 10 a fragmentary, longitudinal section showing a modified form of erector mounting and central platform jack.

Referring to the various parts in detail S designates a tunneling shield, comprising a cylindrical outer shell l and a concentric cylindrical inner shell 2. These two shells are rigidly connected together in any suitable manner as by webs 3. The outer shell is. materially longer than the inner one and is formed with a leading cutting edge 4 and a trailing end or tail 5. A suitable reinforcing means such as a conical end web 6 connects the forward edge of the inner shell with the outer shell. The forward portion of the latter extends materially beyond the web 6 at the top and sides to define a hood H and the lower portion is cut back to the web 6. Sometimes the tunnelin work does not require this hood and it is t en omitted from the shield structure. Jacks J are arranged entirely around the annular space between the shells 1 and 2 and supported in any suitable manner as by the webs 3. These jacks are h draulicall operated and their rams exte rearwar( ly and are provided with presser heads 7 which are adapted to bear against the tunnel lining. The lining is formed of rings R bolted together to form a tubular structure. In the present case metal rings are shown. They may, however, be formed of concrete, wood or any other suitable material. Each ring is formed of a number of segments, and the assembly of these segments to form a ring takes place within the trailing end of the shield, so that the forward end of the tunnel lining during the construction thereof always extends into the rear part of the shield. After the erection of each ring the jacks J are operated to force the shield forward and provide space for the erection of another rin The representation of the 'shield is larve y diagrammatic, many structural details being omitted in order to simplify the illustration. The Huid connections for the jacks J for example are not shown.

An erector device for building up the tun nel lining is supported within the rear portion of the shield and includes an erector arm 8 and a swivel mounting 9 for said arm which supports the latter to rotate upon a horizontal axis coincident with the longitudinal center line of the shield. The arm 8 as illustrated herein comprises an elongated casing 10 formed of front and rear plates 11 and sides formed of channel irons 12 bolted or otherwise secured to said plates. This casing forms a guide for an extensible arm section 13 and a housing for a {luidpressure-operated mechanism 14, for reciprocating said arm section. In the present case this mechanism is hydraulicall operated. It includes an elongated cylin er 15 extending inward from one end of the casing and a phxnger 16 provided with a piston head fitted to reciprocate in the cylinder. The cylinder is supported by filler members 17 mounted within the casing and one end of the cylinder opens into a chamber 18 defined by the outer filler member. The shank of the plunger extends through a stalling box'l inner end to the plunger shank. At yits outer end it is formed with a fork 19 and with a longitudinal slot 2O to provide for its connection with the segments of the tunnel lining which it lifts into place. Attached to the opposite end of the casing is a counterbalance weight C.

The erector arm 8 is rotatably supported intermediate its ends by the swivel mounting 9. The latter is in turn supported by a ystructure within the shield including vertical and horizontal structural iron members 2l and 22 respectively extending across the inner shell 2 and secured to it. The mounting incluoes a bracket structure 23 in the form of a casting disposed at the rear end of the shell 2 and having vertical flanges 24 and a horizontal ilange 25, said flanges being bolted as at 2G to the structure within the shield. The casting is formed with a forwardly extending cylindrical barrel 27. Extending through the barrel 27 and rearwardly from it is a cylindrical journal or axle member 28 which is supported by the barrel in axial alinenient with the shield axis. At its forward end the journal member is formed with a flange 29 which abuts the forward end of the barrel 27 and is bolted thereto as at 30. The journal is thereby held against longitudinal displacement and also prevented from turning. A hub structure for the erector arm 8 is mounted to rotate upon the journal member and cooperates with it to form a swivel or pivotal support for the arm. The hub structure includes a section 3l in the form of a casting directly attached to the erector arm and formed with a flat, plate-like port-ion 32, which abuts the forward face of the arm casing, a central annular portion 33 extending forwardly to surround the rearward end of the journal member 28, and a wall 34 within said annular portion adjacent the rear end of the journal member. The platelike portion of the casting is secured to the arm casing by screws or bolts 35. An aunular hub section 36 forming part of the hub structure is mounted to turn upon the journal rmember 28 between the casting 3l and the barrel portion 27 of the lixed bracket. The outer or rear end of the hub section 36 is reduced and itted into the annular portion of the casting 3l and a nut 37 is threaded upon the outer or rear end of the journal member at said reduced end of the bearing. The section 3l and the section 36 are formed with outturned flanges which abut and are 'mlted together as at 37". The erector arm 5, the casting 3l and the hub section 36 are thus all rigidly connected together to turn upon the journal member 2.8. A gear wheel 38 is formed upon the section 36 and forms part of a mechanism for turning the swiveled erector arm.

The erector arm is turned by a fluid-pressure-operated mechanism located above the gear 38, and operated in the present case by hydraulic pressure. This mechanism includes a horizontally reciprocable7 tubular casing or barrel 39 which is formed at its under side with rack teeth 40 engaging the teeth of the gear 38. A rod 41 extends through the casing and beyond it at both ends and is supported at its ends in a fixed position by brackets 42 mounted upon the lixed structure within the shield. The barrel 39 is provided with annular packing means 43 at its ends which slide on the rod as the barrel is reciprocated. The fixed bracket member 23 is formed with an outer extension 44 across the upper side of the barrel and a guide plate 45 is bolted to said extension. This extension and plate are formed with longitudinal guide ribs and grooves which cooperate with `ibs and grooves upon the barrel to slidably support and guide the latter with its rack 40 in proper relation to the gear 38. For approximately one half its length the rod 4l has its diameter reduced to provide it with a large portion 46 and a smaller portion 47. At the juncture of said large and small portions of the rod the latter is provided with packing means 48 which snugly its in the bore ofthe barrel and is firmly held against displacement along the rod. A lluid passage 49 leads from the outer end of the large portion 46 of the rod longitudinally inward therethrough and emerges into the barrel adjacent one end of the packing 48. Similarly a fluid passage 50 leads through the smaller portion ot the rod and emerges into the barrel adjacent the opposite end of the packing.

A manually operable valve 95 is provided to admit fluid under pressure from a main supply pipe 96 through a branch pipe 97 and a pipe 97a to the passage 50 and into the barrel 39. This pressure is opposed by a constant pressure in the opposite end of the barrel which is admitted through a pipe 98 which leads directly from the main supply pipe to the passage 49. Due to the larger stuliing box area exposed to the pressure in the right-hand-end of the barrel the latter will be moved to the right with reference to Fig. 5 to rotate the erector arm through the gear connections 38 and 40 when pressure is admitted through the valve 95. When this pressure is released through valve 95 the rack will be moved to the left by the con stant pressure.

The erecto1 arm is rotated to carry a segment of the tunnel lining into proper radial position and then the hydraulic pressureoperated mechanism 14 carried by the erector arm is actuated to move the extensible arm section 13 radially outward to carry the segment to its linal position. In order to connect the revolving hydraulic pressure-operated mechanism 15 with a source of fluid An opening is also formed transverf pressure I have provided a greatly simplified and most desirable fluid connection means` through the swivel mounting of the erector arm. The journal member 28 'lormeV with an axial cylindrical bore 51 which ex tends from its outer end inward to a point ad'acent the flange 29. The wall 3l o th i hu section 31 is also formed with an openn ing 52 corresponding in diameter with the bore 51 and in direct alincment with the latter. Outwardly of the opening 52 the casting 31 is formed with a recess 53 and the front and rear plates 11 of the erector 'e casing are formed With openings 51 in a. alignment with the opening 52 and the re.l

through the inner end portion of the extrusible arm section 13. lVhen the arm section is retracted its opening 55 registers will1 ore-and-aft openings in the casing. 'llfn outer casing opening 54 is closed by a cover plate 56 removably held in place by screwsy or the like.

An elongated cylindrical swivel plug 5T forming a fluid conduit member extends through the opening 52 of the casting wall and into the bore 51. It is removably an."

rotatably fitted in the bore and extends most. of the length thereof. At its outer end ii in.

A formed with a flat, substantially rectangulai' plate-like head 58 which abuts the wall 3l and is removably secured to it by screws or bolts 58. Packing means are mounted upoz the inner end of the plug to snugly tit tl;vv bore 51 and guard or seal fluid connectie-uf' which will be presently described. To areommodate the packing the plug reduced as at 59 and threaded as at 60, at the end ol' said reduced portion. A cylindrical nut 61 is screwed upon the threads 60, and upon the reduced portion 59 between the nut and the shoulder 62 of the plug a packing is mounted, This packing comprises a sleeve 63 whose ends are received in opposed leather gaskets 64 which are in channel form. The sleeve is formed with openings 65 between the gaskets. Beyond the threads the plug is reduced as at 66, again reduced and threaded at 67. and terminates in a still further duced threaded end 68. Of the threads 67 and 68 one is right-hand and the other is left-hand. A cylindrical nut 69 screwedL upon the thread 67 and a check nut 70 if screwed upon the thread 68. Upon the reduced portion 68 between the nuts 61 and Gf* is mounted a` packing similar to that just described, comprising an apertured sleeve 71 and opposed channel gaskets 72. The opposite inclination of the threads 67 and 6Fl prevents the nnscrewing of the nuts 69 ani 70 when the swivel plug is turned in the bore, and the nut 61 is held against turning by a set screw so that the packing is, hell firmly in place.

Leading longitudinally through theA plug 57 is a fluid passage 73 which at its forward end has a transverse port connection with the annular space defined by the sleeve 63 and the gaskets 64. This space communicates through the openings with the bore 51 and a. port 75 which leads transverselj.' into the bore at a point between the gasket- 64. The port 75 is formed in the fixed journal member 28, and a pipe 76 extends` through an opening in the fixed barrel 27 and is threaded into the journal member to communicate with the port. The plug passage 7 3, at its rear end7 has a transverse port connection with a pipe 77 which is threaded transversely into the plug as shown in Fig. 9. The plug is also formed with another longitudinal fluid passage 78 which communicates transversely at its forward end with the annular space defined by the sleeve 7 and the gaskets 72. This s ace communi Cates with the bore 51 throng the aperturesin the sleeve, and a port 79 leads transN versely through the journal member and enters the bore at a point between the gaskets 72. A ipe 80 extends through an opening in the xed barrel 27, is screwed into the journal member 28, and opens into the port 79. At its rear end the passage 78 opens transversely into a pipe 81 threaded transversely into the plug 57. The pipes 77 and 81 extend outward in opposite directions through openings formed in the wall 34 of the hub casting 31. Each pipe is made of sections connected together adjacent the casting by unions 82.

The pipe 77 extends along the side of the erector arm and leads into the chamber 18 at the outel` curl of the plunger 17. Fluid under pressure is admitted through the pipe 76, the packing. the plug 57 and the pipe 77 to the chamber 18 for moving the plunger and extending the arm section 13 of the erector. The pipe 81 leads to the cylinder 15 adjacent tbe inner end thereof and fluid under pressure is delivered to the cylinder through the pipe 81). the packing, the plug 57 and the pipe 81 to the opposite face of the piston head of the plunger for retracting the arm section 13.

lVhen the packing of the plug 57 requires attention it i.: rendered readily accessible by the axial withdrawal of the plug. This is accomplished by removing the small cover plate 56 at the front ot the erector. unserewing the fastening elements 58 to release the plug hea/.l 58. unscrewing the pipes 77 and 81 from the plug. and then withdrawing the plug axially through the bore 51. the opening 52 in the hub casting and the openings 54 and 55 in the erector arm casing and the extensible arm 13 respectively. The plug can then be carried to a convenient place and its packing inspected. cleaned7 repaired. or replaced. This can be done at a place remove-l from the excavating operations to keep the plug and packing clean. After the packing has been replaced in good order the plug may be easily and quickly replaced. It will be particularly convenient and will save time to provide several plugs for the tunneling equipment so that a sparc plug with good packings can be inserted as soon as a plug with defective packings has been withdrawn. This will not add materially to the cost of the equipment as the plug and packing unit is extremely simple and comparatively inexpensive.

The space within the shield is divided into a number of compartments, six in the present instance, as will be seen in F ig. 8. The compartments are open fore-and-aft and the men Work in all of the compartments, excavating the earth and removing it to dirt cars at the back of the shield. Heretofore in order to replace or repair al packing it has been necessary for the rcpairmen to work within the cramped space of the shield compartment beneath the swivel mounting. Their work is often a matter of hours and during this time the excavating and erecting work is necessarily suspended. The present invention is designed to greatly reduce the time and labor of this repair operation and also ensure a better repacking job.

Owing to its novel design the structure of the swivel mounting and its fluid connection has been rendered much more compact than previous forms. Its longitudinal dimension has been greatly shortened. It will be observed that the mounting extends only a slight distance along the shield axis and a liberal space is left in advance of the mounting to accomodate a central hydraulic jack 83. This central, axial location of the jack is particularly desirable as it enables it to act to a greater advantage upon abreast ing located at the front end of the shield. As shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the central platform jack comprises a fixed ram 84 and a movable casing or barrel 85 which reciprocates along the ram. In the form of the invention shown in said Figs. 4 and 6 the ram is integrally formed with the journal member 28 and extends axially from the forward end thereof toward the front end of the shield. The ack barrel 85 is slidably mounted in a bearing 86 supported by the structure within the shield and carries a presser head 87 at its forward end. Supported by the head 87 is a platform 88 upon which the workmen stand for their excavating work. A pipe 89 leads into the ram 84 and communicates with a fluid passage which leads longitudinally through the ram and delivers through the forward end thereof into the barrel. The admission of fluid through this connection forces the jack barrel and the platform forward. There are two other similar hydraulic platform jacks 90 disposed at opppsite sides of the central jack, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 8. These side jacks are also supported by the structure within the shield, operate parallel to the central jack, and'each carries a platform similar to the platform 88.

In Fig. 10 is shown a structure modified with respect to the swivel mounting and the central platform jack. Here the journal member 28L terminates at the forward end of the bore 51 and the jack is formed entirely separate from said member, a web 91 of the supporting structure being disposed between them. The jack in this case comprises a fixed barrel or casing 92 rigidly supported by the structure within the shield, and a movable ram 98 slidable within the barrel. The pipe 89al leads directly into the rear end of the barrel, and the presser head 87 and the platform 88 are carried by the forward end of the ram.

Each segment of the tunnel rings R is attached to the extensible section 13 of the erector arm. This attachment is effected by passing an extensible pin 94 through the slotted fork 19 of the arm section and engaging the ends of the pin in apertures formed in the segment. The valve 95 is then operated Vto cause the rotation of the erector arm. lVhen the lining segment has been carried into radial alinement with its proper position in the ring assembly the valve 95 is operated to stop the rotation of the erector arm. A valve 99 is then operated to actuate the fluid-pressure-operated mechanism 14 carried by the erector arm. A branch pipe 100 leads from the main supply pipe 96 to the valve 99 and the latter admits fluid to the pipe 76 which delivers through the packing sleeve 68 of the plug 57, through the pipe 77 to the chamber 18 of the erector arm. Admission of pressure to said chamber moves the plunger and its attached arm section 18 to extend the latter and carries the ring segment radially into its position in the ring assembly. The pressure in the chamber 18 is opposed by a constant fluid pressure at the opposite side of the plunger head. This pressure is admitted by the pipe 80 which leads directly from the main fluid supply pipe 9G to the bore 51, and delivers through the packing sleeve 71, the plug passage 78 and the pipe 81 to the cylinder 15. This pressure is for the purpose of retracting the extensible arm section 13 when the pressure admitted through the pipe 77 is released. The latter pressure operates upon a larger area of the plunger" head so that at f'ull strength it will predominate over the constant opposed pressure and cause the extension of the arm section 18.

Vfhile I have shown and described what I consider a most desirable embodiment and application of my invention I do not wish to be limited to the disclosure but reserve the right to make such changes in structure and application as will lie within the :ic-ope of the claims.

W'hat I claim is:

1. In a device including a rotor and a fluid-pressureoperated mechanism carried thereby, a` pivotal mounting rtor said rotor formed with a socket extending in the direction of the rotor axis; and means removably mounted in said socket forming a fluid pressure connection through the rotor mounting for the delivery of fluid to the fluid-pressure-operated mechanism carried by the rotor, said means being removable in an axial direction from the rotor and its mounting.

2. ln a device including a rotor and a. fluid-pressure-operated mechanism carried thereby, a pivotal mounting Afor said rotor formed with a socket extending axially thereof; a plug removably fitted in said socket; a fluid pressure connection leading through said socket and plug to the fluid pressure-operated mecha. m carried by the rotor; and packing means associated with said plug t-o guard the fluid pressure connection, the plug being axiallyY removable from the rotor and its mounting' to render the packing accessible.

3. In a device including a rotor and afluid-prcssure-operated mechanism carried thereby. a pivotal mounting lier said rotor formed with a socket. extending axially thereof: a plug removably fitted in said socket; a fluid pressure connection leading through said socket and plug to the rotor; packing means to form an annular chamber within the socket around the plug and in communication with the Vfluid pressure connections leading through the plug. and means to supply fluid pressure lo said chamber, the plug being axially removable trom the rotor and its mounting to render the packing accessible.

4. In a device including a rotor and a fluid-pressure-operatcd mechanism carried thereby. a pivotal mounting for said rotor formed with a` socket extending axially thereof; a plug removabl;7 fitted in said socket; a fluid connection leading through said socket and plug to 'she fluid-pressureoperated mechanism; and packing means carried by the plug to guard the said fluid connection, the plug and packing means being removable together axially from the rotor and its mounting.

5. In a device including a rotor and a fluid-pressure-operated mechanism carried thereby, ay pivotal mounting for said rotor formed with a socket extending axially thereof; packing means removably fitted in said socket; and a fluid pressure` connection leading through ,said socket and packing means to the fluid-pressure-operated means carried by the rotor, the packing means and the fluid pressure connections being removable axially from the rotor and its mounting.

6. In a device including a rotor and a luid-pressure-operated mechanism carried thereby to revolve around the rotor axis, a pivotal mounting for said rotor comprisinqr a stationary journal member formed with an axial bore opening through its outer end and a hub structure carried by the rotor and mounted to rotate upon said journal member; a removable plug extending axially into said journal bore; a fluid connection leading through said bore and plug for supplying fluid to the fluid-pressure-operated mechanism carried by the rotor; packing means carried by said plug to guard said fluid connections; and means releasably holding the plug in place, the rotor and it mounting being formed to provide clearanc. for the axial withdrawal of the plug and packing means.

7. ln a device including a rotor and a fluid-pressure-operated mechanism carried thereby to revolve around the rotor axis, a pivotal mounting for said rotor comprising a stationary journal member provided with an axial bore opening through its outer end. and a hub structure carried by the rotor and mounted to rotate upon said journal member; a plug removably and rotatably mounted in said journal bore; a fluid pressure connection leading` transversely through the journal member to the bore and the plug and transverselyY and longitudinally through the latter for supplying fluid to the fluidpressure-operated mechanism carried by the rotor; packing means carried by the plug and fitted in the bore for guarding the transverse portion of said fluid connection; and means releasably holding the plug in place in the bore, the rotor and its mounting being formed to provide clearance for the axial withdrawal of the plug and packing means.

8. In a tunneling apparatus, the combination of an annular tunneling shield; a device for erecting a tunnel lining carried by the shield at the rear thereof and comprising a rotatable member, a fluid-pressure@ erated mechanism carried by said member or conveying segments of the tunnel lining into their places, a pivotal mounting for the erector member formed with an axial boreI opening rearwardly, and means carried by the shield for supporting said mounting with the rotatable member disposed at the rear of the shield and its axis in line with the shield axis; a plug removably mounted in said bore; a fluid pressure connection lead-` ing through said plug to supply fluid to said fluid-pressure-operated mechanism carried by the rotatable member; packing means carried by the plug for guarding said fluid connection, the rotatable member and its mounting beingI formed to provide clearance lor the axial withdrawal of the plug and packing rearwardly therefrom, and the mounting terminating materially short of the forward end of the shield and being closed at said forward end, whereby a fluidpressure-operated jack may be supported in the shield in axial alinement with the said pivotal mounting to exert a forwardly directed pressure.

9. In a device including a rotor and a fiuid-pressure-operated mechanism carried thereby to revolve around the rotor axis; a pivotal mounting for said rotor comprising a journal member provided with an axial bore opening through its outer end, and a hub structure carried by the rotor and mounted to rotate upon said journal member; a swivel plug removably and rotatably mounted in said journal bore and releasably fixed to rotate with the rotor; a fluid pressure connection leading transversely through the journal member to the bore and the plug and transversely and longitudinally through the latter for supplying fluid to the fluidpressure-operated mechanism carried by the rotor; and annular packing means carried by and fixed to the plug and fitted in the bore for guarding and constantly maintaining the transverse portion of said connection, the rotor and its mounting being formed to provide clearance for the axial withdrawal of the plug and packing means as a unit.

10. ln a device including a rotor and a fluid-pressure operated mechanism carried thereby to revolve around the rotor axis, a pivotal mounting for said rotor comprising a journal member provided with aii axial bore opening through its outer end,'and a hub structure carried by the rotor and mounted to rotate upon said journal member; a swivel plug removably and rotatably mounted in said journal bore and releasably fixed to rotate with the rotor; a plurality of fiuid pressure connections each leading transversely through the journal member to the bore and the plug and transversely and longitudinally through the latter for conducting fluid to and from the fluid-pressure-operated mechanism carried by the rotor; and annular packing means carried by and fixed to the plug, fitted in the bore and defining a plurality of separated annular spaces around the plug at the transverse portions of the fluid connection leading from the journal vnember to the plug and guarding and maintaining said transverse connections in all of the rotated positions of the rotor, the rotor and its mounting being formed to provide clearance for the axial withdrawal of the plug and packing means as a unit.

l1. In a device including a rotor and a fluid-pressure-operated mechanism carried thereby to revolve around the rotor axis; a pivotal mounting for said rotor comprising a journal member provided with an axial bore opening through its outer end, and a hub sure connections each leading transversely through the journal member to the bore and the plug and transversely and longitudinally through the latter for conducting fluid to and from the fluid-pressure-operated mechanism carried by the rotor; annularV packing means carried by and fixed to the plug, fitted in the bore and defining a plurality of seoarated annular spaces around the plug at tie transverse portions of the fluid connections leading from the journal member to the plug and guarding and maintaining said transverse connections in all of the rotated positions of the rotor; and means to hold the packing means in place upon the swivel plug comprising a nut and an 0ppositcly threaded check nut both screwed upon the plug, the rotor and its mounting being formed to provide clearance for the axial withdrawal of the plug and packing means as a unit.

l2. ln a device for erecting tunnel linings including a rotor carrying a fluid-pressureoperated erecting mechanism, the combination of a pivotal mounting for said rotor formed with a socket extending in the di-` rection of the rotor axis; and means removably mounted in said socket forming a fluid pressure connection through the rotor mounting for the delivery of fluid to the erecting mechanism carried by the rotor, said means being removable in an axial direction from the rotor.

13. In a device for erecting tunnel linings including a rotor carrying a fluid-pressureoperated erecting mechanism, the combination of a pivotal mounting for said rotor formed with a socket extending axially thereof; a plug removably mounted in said socket; a fluid connection leading through aid plug and socket to the fluid-pressureoperated mechanism; and packing means within the socket and carried by said plug to guard the said fluid connection, the plug and packing means being removable axially from the rotor and its pivotal mounting.

let. ln a tunneling apparatus comprising an annular shield adapted to be advanced through the earth and a device for erecting a tunnel lining rearwardly of the shield including a rotor carrying a fluid-pressureoperated erecting mechanism, the combination of a pivotal mounting for said rotor formed with a rearwardly opening socket extending in the direction of the rotor axis;

ion

iin

ias

and means removably mounted in said" socket forming a fluid pressure connection leading through the rotor mounting to the fiuid-pressure-operated erecting mechanism carried by the rotor, said means being re-, v

8 means movable in an axial direction rearwardly from the socket.

15. In a tunneling apparatus comprising an annular shield adapted to be advanced through the earth and a device for erecting a tunnel lining rearwardly of the shield including a rotor carrying a fluid-pressurerated erecting mechanism, the combinatm of a pivotal mounting supported in the shield and formed with a rearwardly opensocket extending along the rotor axis; l plu removably mounted in said socket; a connection leading through said plug und socketto the fluid pressure operated mechanism carried by the rotor; and packing means within the socket and carried by sand plug to guard the said fluid connection, the rotor and its mounting being formed to provide clearance for the axial rearward withdrawal of the plug and packing means from the socket.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

WILLIAM B. UPDEGRAFF. 

